The Scholarship GPS Podcast: Your Directions to a Debt-Free College Degree

Don't Rely on Your Guidance Counselor For College Admissions & Scholarships + Scholarship Opportunities for the Class of 2026, Seniors, and College Students

Andy Lockwood is a college admissions and funding advisor in Long Island, New York. Andy personally coaches a select group of college-bound teens through the process of choosing majors and careers, then backward planning, strategically, into a college list, THEN strategizing how to maximize chances of admission. He also helps families improve their eligibility for financial and and scholarships, and negotiate with colleges for more money. He graduated Wesleyan University and St John's Law School.
In our conversation, Andy and I discussed:
What current college-bound high school students can learn from the Class of 2025 college admissions cycle
Why GPA, Test Scores, and even Passion Projects are not enough to guarantee college admissions
Why you (usually) shouldn’t rely on your Guidance Counselor for college admissions or scholarship help
And much more…
To connect with Andy, go to https://www.lockwoodcollegeprep.com/
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Appealing your Financial Aid Award
Did you know you can appeal your financial aid award? Chris Abkarians, co-founder of Juno, will explain how to increase financial aid from your university. We'll cover the reasons why you can appeal, what documents you may need to collect, and how to approach the conversation with your financial aid office. Click here to register for this free webinar.
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Scholarship season for the Class of 2026 is officially open!
The Full-Tuition Bryan Cameron Foundation Scholarship is just the first of the many HUGE scholarship opportunities your Class of 2026 student will have over the next 17 months. Starting your scholarship journey now provides your student with many advantages, including:
Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers
More opportunities to earn scholarships
Resume enhancement (a scholarship win on a resume looks great!)
Improved writing skills (needed to do well in college!)
Preparation for the huge scholarships open during senior year
Great practice for the college admissions process
The opportunity to build a set of re-usable essays for future scholarship applications
And much more
However, most families struggle with the scholarship process, which is why we are proud to introduce…
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program 
This program includes:
Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A.
Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered!
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2026 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships. 
Personalized help with one scholarship application & essay each week. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list. 
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more. 
Best of all, the program is available for just $47/month! You may cancel anytime.
To get started, go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
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This Week's Featured Scholarships:
$1000 Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
$10,000 Maude and Alexander Hadden Scholarship
$2500 Superpower Scholarship
$1000 Courage to Grow Scholarship
$2500 "No Sweat" Scholarship
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
 

How to Nail Your College Admissions & Scholarship Interviews + 5 Scholarship Opportunities

Alison Slater attended Bucknell University and worked in selective college admissions for fifteen years. Interviews are her favorite part of the college application, but they can be such a missed opportunity when students arrive nervous or unprepared. Alison helps students make a strong impression in their interviews by preparing thoughtfully and approaching each interview with a plan.
In our conversation, Alison and I discussed:
Why students should prepare before college interviews
When to begin interview preparation
The attire a student should wear to an interview
Is there a possibility an interview can hurt my chances of admission?
Interview Tips
And much more…
To connect with Alison, visit the Interview Prep website: https://www.interviewprepllc.com/
Alison was kind enough to offer my readers a 20% discount on her services. Use discount code GPS2025 by June 1, 2025.
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Crimson Coaching's President and Head Coach, Dr. P. (Dominique Padurano, Ph.D.) and Scholarship GPS's Creator and Coach Dave Peterson team up to share how students of any age can start preparing NOW to apply for outside college scholarships that could lead to a low- or NO-cost college degree. Students, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones are encouraged to attend -- with notebook and pen -- and to share news of this actionable webinar far and wide.
Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BGQq-1BYSBSdjpa3eRSX4A#/registration
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When our kids turn 18, we lose the legal ability to help them with financial and medical emergencies. That's why a Young Adult POS is so critical. Click here to learn more about Mama Bear Legal Forms Young Adult POA: https://www.mamabearlegalforms.com/youngadult?oid=1&affid=44
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Scholarship season for the Class of 2026 is officially open!
The Bryan Cameron Foundation Scholarship is just the first of the many HUGE scholarship opportunities your Class of 2026 student will have over the next 17 months. Starting your scholarship journey now provides your student with many advantages, including:
Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers
More opportunities to earn scholarships
Resume enhancement (a scholarship win on a resume looks great!)
Improved writing skills (needed to do well in college!)
Preparation for the huge scholarships open during senior year
Great practice for the college admissions process
The opportunity to build a set of re-usable essays for future scholarship applications
And much more
However, most families struggle with the scholarship process, which is why we are proud to introduce…
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program 
This program includes:
Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A.
Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered!
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2026 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships.
Personalized help with one scholarship application & essay each week. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list.
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more. 
Best of all, the program is available for just $47/month! You may cancel anytime.
To get started, go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
Sign up before March 1, 2025, and get a free copy of the book, "Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications” by Dr. John Durante. This practical resource contains hundreds of tricks, tips, shortcuts, and strategies. Whether you’re a student or parent, John Durante will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle the college application process head-on.
----------
Check out this Scholarship GPS student who won a $5000 scholarship! Read the article here. This student is only a high school sophomore and already has accumulated $15,000 in scholarship wins! That’s why I suggest starting on your student’s scholarship journey early.
Did you know that more than 50% of Scholarship GPS students who entered the VFW Voice of Democracy Contest in 2023 and 2024 won scholarships? Your student could be next! Check out our Class of 2026 program here and our program for high school sophomores and freshmen here.
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This week's featured scholarships:
$5000 Kailee Mills Foundation Scholarship
Ike Foundation Scholarship
$1000 Foundation for Fraternal Excellence Men's College Scholarship
$2000 Newton Pens Scholarship
Weekender: $1000 Scholarship for First-Generation Students
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Sign up for our FREE newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Multiple Scholarship-Winning Student Shares Secrets of Success + 6 Scholarship Opportunities

For over a decade, Lisa Marker-Robbins has helped roughly 4000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to embark on their post-high school path.
Along the way, however, she noticed an alarming trend: Teens struggled to find their true purpose–and the fallout wasn’t pretty. There was a lot of uncertainty around college majors and future careers. As a result, students weren’t graduating college on time, and even when they did, they often left college underemployed or unemployed altogether.
Gaining college and career clarity not only sets up the student to thrive in college and puts them on the path to future career success, but it’s also beneficial for finding and winning scholarships. More than half of the private scholarships my son won, both in high school and while in college, were directly related to his college major. The other scholarships, while open to students of all majors, were still won due to his compelling Personal Narrative - his story of his plans, with the ability to point to past achievements related to those plans.
Whether your child is in high school or college, if they need clarification about their future career or even their college major, I can think of no better investment than the programs that Lisa and Flourish Coaching offer. Click here to learn more: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/a/2147584293/PLHdxFCx
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Crimson Coaching's President and Head Coach, Dr. P. (Dominique Padurano, Ph.D.) and Scholarship GPS's Creator and Coach Dave Peterson team up to share how students of any age can start preparing NOW to apply for outside college scholarships that could lead to a low- or NO-cost college degree. Students, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones are encouraged to attend -- with notebook and pen -- and to share news of this actionable webinar far and wide.
Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BGQq-1BYSBSdjpa3eRSX4A#/registration
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Last year, Isabella, one of my Class of 2024 scholarship coaching students was one of the iSparkle Scholarship winners. This was just one of many scholarships that Isabella won, and I share my interview with Isabella and her mom Heather is this episode.
If you are a student in the Class of 2026, 2027, or even the Class of 2028, and would like to have the same kind of guidance and support on your scholarship journey that I provided to Isabella and Heather, please go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services and look at my various program offerings. I’m already working with a ton of high school freshmen and sophomores, and my Class of 2026 cohort is filling up. In fact, we’ve already had 3 of our exclusive bi-weekly webinar & Q&A sessions for the Class of 2026. With a FULL TUITION scholarship open for the Class of 2026, the time to start your scholarship journey is now. So, again, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/services to get started on your scholarship journey today.
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Check out this Scholarship GPS student who won a $5000 scholarship! Read the article here. This student is only a high school sophomore and already has accumulated $15,000 in scholarship wins! That’s why I suggest starting on your student’s scholarship journey early.
Did you know that more than 50% of Scholarship GPS students who entered the VFW Voice of Democracy Contest in 2023 and 2024 won scholarships? Your student could be next! Check out our Class of 2026 program here and our program for high school sophomores and freshmen here.
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This week's featured scholarships:
$1000 Equipment Leases Inc. Scholarship
Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship
Driver Education Initiative Award Scholarship
$8000 Think for Yourself Scholarship
iSparkle Scholarship
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
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Sign up for our FREE newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

College Admissions Essay Advice for Juniors from Dr. P. + 5 Scholarship Opportunities for Students in Grades 9 through College!

Dominique Padurano, or Dr. P. as she is known, founded Crimson Coaching to help all students fulfill their potential. A Harvard grad, Dr. P. has experience as a high school teacher and tutor. In 2014, she opened Crimson Coaching, where she helps students in several ways, including as a college counselor and essay coach.
In our conversation, Dr. P and I discussed:
Why a family would want to work with a college essay coach
The ideal college essay writing timeline for students applying for the first time
How involved should parents be during their child’s college essay-writing journey
What makes Dr. P different than college essay coaches
Advice for students about to embark on the college essay-writing journey
And much more…
To connect with Dr. P., email her at info@crimsoncoaching.com, visit the Crimson Coaching website or her YouTube Channel.
Dr. P. and I are hosting a FREE webinar on Thursday, March 13th, at 7:00 pm Eastern Time.
Crimson Coaching's President and Head Coach, Dr. P. (Dominique Padurano, Ph.D.) and Scholarship GPS's Creator and Coach Dave Peterson team up to share how students of any age can start preparing NOW to apply for outside college scholarships that could lead to a low- or NO-cost college degree. Students, parents, grandparents, and other loved ones are encouraged to attend -- with notebook and pen -- and to share news of this actionable webinar far and wide.
Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BGQq-1BYSBSdjpa3eRSX4A#/registration
----------
Scholarship season for the Class of 2026 is officially open!
The Bryan Cameron Foundation Scholarship is just the first of the many HUGE scholarship opportunities your Class of 2026 student will have over the next 17 months. Starting your scholarship journey now provides your student with many advantages, including:
Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers
More opportunities to earn scholarships
Resume enhancement (a scholarship win on a resume looks great!)
Improved writing skills (needed to do well in college!)
Preparation for the huge scholarships open during senior year
Great practice for the college admissions process
The opportunity to build a set of re-usable essays for future scholarship applications
And much more
However, most families struggle with the scholarship process, which is why we are proud to introduce…
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program 
This program includes:
Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A.
Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered!
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2026 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships.
Personalized help with one scholarship application & essay each week. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list.
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more. 
Best of all, the program is available for just $47/month! You may cancel anytime.
To get started, go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
Sign up before March 1, 2025, and get a free copy of the book, "Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications” by Dr. John Durante. This practical resource contains hundreds of tricks, tips, shortcuts, and strategies. Whether you’re a student or parent, John Durante will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle the college application process head-on.
----------
Check out this Scholarship GPS student who won a $5000 scholarship! Read the article here. This student is only a high school sophomore and already has accumulated $15,000 in scholarship wins! That’s why I suggest starting on your student’s scholarship journey early.
Did you know that more than 50% of Scholarship GPS students who entered the VFW Voice of Democracy Contest in 2023 and 2024 won scholarships? Your student could be next! Check out our Class of 2026 program here and our program for high school sophomores and freshmen here.
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This week's featured scholarships:
$2000 GoSkills Be the Boss Scholarship
Innovation In Education Scholarship
$2500 College Investor Side Hustlin' Student Scholarship
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
$2000 Book vs. Movie Scholarship
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Sign up for our FREE newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Clarity for College Admissions & Scholarship Success + 5 Scholarship Opportunities

For over a decade, Lisa Marker-Robbins has helped nearly 4,000 high school students and young adults gain the insight, experiences, and confidence they need to embark on their post-high school path.
Along the way, however, she noticed an alarming trend: Teens struggled to find their true purpose - devastatingly impacting the student’s college admissions and scholarship success.
In our conversation, Lisa shared:
Why strong GPAs and high test scores may not be enough to gain admittance to your student’s dream college.
Why “knowing where you want to go” is critical for college admissions and scholarships.
Why your teen is NOT too young to get clarity on their future college major and career, and how most of the world is better preparing teens for career clarity.
The role of college major clarity in college admissions, based on actual data from the colleges.
Why high self-awareness is critical for a student’s future success with college admissions and scholarships.
Lisa has a complimentary video on “How to guide your teen to choose the right major, college, & career” that she created for parents (and students), and she’s given me permission to share this with my audience! In this, she’ll cover:
How flipping the script on the college admissions process can help ensure an on-time (and on budget!) graduation and a career your teen will love.
How to know *beyond any doubt* that your teen has chosen the right college, major, and career path, and hasn’t based their decision on luck, picked the “safe” option, or inadvertently restricted their potential.
How to ensure your teen’s senior year choices don't trap them in an unsuitable major or close the door on an opportunity no amount of money or persuasion can open.
Click here to watch Lisa’s complimentary video, “How to guide your teen to choose the right major, college, & career,” here: flourishcoachingco.com/gps
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Scholarship season for the Class of 2026 is officially open!
The Bryan Cameron Foundation Scholarship is just the first of the many HUGE scholarship opportunities your Class of 2026 student will have over the next 17 months. Starting your scholarship journey now provides your student with many advantages, including:
Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers
More opportunities to earn scholarships
Resume enhancement (a scholarship win on a resume looks great!)
Improved writing skills (needed to do well in college!)
Preparation for the huge scholarships open during senior year
Great practice for the college admissions process
The opportunity to build a set of re-usable essays for future scholarship applications
And much more
However, most families struggle with the scholarship process, which is why we are proud to introduce…
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program 
This program includes:
Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A.
Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered!
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2026 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships.
Personalized help with one scholarship application & essay each week. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list.
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more. 
Best of all, the program is available for just $47/month! You may cancel anytime.
To get started, go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
Sign up before March 1, 2025, and get a free copy of the book, "Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications” by Dr. John Durante. This practical resource contains hundreds of tricks, tips, shortcuts, and strategies. Whether you’re a student or parent, John Durante will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle the college application process head-on.
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This week's featured scholarships:
$2000 Achieving My Potential Scholarship
$3000 “You Can’t Label People, but You Can Label Products” Scholarship
$3000 “Unboxing Your Life” Video Scholarship
$5000 Robert Redick Memorial Scholarship
$5000 Christian College Scholarship
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Sign up for our FREE newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

Stress-Free College Admissions + 5 Scholarship Opportunities

Dr. Sapna Sehgal is a PhD holder, a university professor, an Oxford graduate, and College Admissions Consultant.
When you work with Sapna, you’re working with an English professor and tutor with 20+ years teaching experience, 7+ years university lecturing experience, and 7+ years of college consulting experience, working for top companies and individual families.
In our conversation, Sapna and I discussed:
When students should begin the college admissions process
What high school freshmen and sophomores can do to make their college admissions process less stressful
How she helps students brainstorm to build their college list
Essay-writing advice
How to approach supplemental essays
And much more...
To schedule a free, no-obligation meeting with Sapna, click here: https://drsapnaconsulting.com/book
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Scholarship season for the Class of 2026 is officially open!
The Bryan Cameron Foundation Scholarship is just the first of the many HUGE scholarship opportunities your Class of 2026 student will have over the next 17 months. Starting your scholarship journey now provides your student with many advantages, including:
Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers
More opportunities to earn scholarships
Resume enhancement (a scholarship win on a resume looks great!)
Improved writing skills (needed to do well in college!)
Preparation for the huge scholarships open during senior year
Great practice for the college admissions process
The opportunity to build a set of re-usable essays for future scholarship applications
And much more
However, most families struggle with the scholarship process, which is why we are proud to introduce…
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program 
This program includes:
Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A.
Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered!
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2026 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships. 
Personalized help with one scholarship application & essay each week. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list. 
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more. 
Best of all, the program is available for just $47/month! You may cancel anytime.
To get started, go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
Sign up before March 1, 2025, and get a free copy of the book, "Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications” by Dr. John Durante. This practical resource contains hundreds of tricks, tips, shortcuts, and strategies. Whether you’re a student or parent, John Durante will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle the college application process head-on.
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There IS still time for your Class of 2025 Grad to earn scholarships, but you don't want to delay any longer!
That is why Scholarship GPS has opened The Class of 2025 Spring Scholarship Scramble. This exciting new program provides your high school senior with:
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2025 grad is eligible. Your students' custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships.
Personalized help with up to 10 scholarship applications & essays each month. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list.
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons in the course include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more.
The program begins when you sign up and ends on June 5, 2025. You can join the Class of 2025 Spring Scholarship Scramble for just $97 per month. To get started, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/2025scramble This program will fill up fast, and when it does, it won’t be offered again. We are in the home stretch for the Class of 2025 to earn scholarships for the start of college, so don’t delay. 
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This week's featured scholarships:
$10,000 PER SEMESTER Engebretson Scholarship
$2500 DCU for Kids Scholarship
$1000 Cancer Pathways Teen Writing Contest
$10,000 My Future Scholarship Contest
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
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I like Church Hill Classics frames so much that I bought one for my son's college diploma and one for my future daughter-in-law's college diploma! They both turned out beautifully!
Whether it’s a high school or college diploma, a varsity letter, military display, professional credentials, or another custom frame, check out Church Hill Classics today! Use discount code Dave2025 for $15 off any purchase of $100 or more.
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Sign up for our FREE newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

A FULL-TUITION Scholarship for the Class of 2026 + 6 Other Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship season for the Class of 2026 is officially open!
The Bryan Cameron Foundation Scholarship is just the first of the many HUGE scholarship opportunities your Class of 2026 student will have over the next 17 months. Starting your scholarship journey now provides your student with many advantages, including:
Getting a head start with scholarships compared to their peers
More opportunities to earn scholarships
Resume enhancement (a scholarship win on a resume looks great!)
Improved writing skills (needed to do well in college!)
Preparation for the huge scholarships open during senior year
Great practice for the college admissions process
The opportunity to build a set of re-usable essays for future scholarship applications
And much more
However, most families struggle with the scholarship process, which is why we are proud to introduce…
The Class of 2026 Scholarship Navigator Program 
This program includes:
Bi-weekly webinars: A new topic or scholarship will be covered in depth during these live webinars. Plus, time will be allotted for Q&A.
Online Support: You'll have direct email access to Dave The Scholarship Coach, a seasoned expert in the field. Dave is here to help you navigate the complex world of scholarships and get your questions answered!
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2026 grad is eligible. Your student’s custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships. 
Personalized help with one scholarship application & essay each week. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list. 
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more. 
Best of all, the program is available for just $47/month! You may cancel anytime.
To get started, go to https://www.scholarshipgps.com/2026navigator
Sign up before March 1, 2025, and get a free copy of the book, "Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications” by Dr. John Durante. This practical resource contains hundreds of tricks, tips, shortcuts, and strategies. Whether you’re a student or parent, John Durante will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle the college application process head-on.
----------
There IS still time for your Class of 2025 Grad to earn scholarships, but you don't want to delay any longer!
That is why Scholarship GPS has opened The Class of 2025 Spring Scholarship Scramble. This exciting new program provides your high school senior with:
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2025 grad is eligible. Your students' custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships.
Personalized help with up to 10 scholarship applications & essays each month. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list.
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons in the course include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more.
The program begins when you sign up and ends on June 5, 2025. You can join the Class of 2025 Spring Scholarship Scramble for just $97 per month. To get started, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/2025scramble This program will fill up fast, and when it does, it won’t be offered again. We are in the home stretch for the Class of 2025 to earn scholarships for the start of college, so don’t delay. 
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This week's featured scholarships:
Full-Tuition Bryan Cameron Scholarship
$1000 Magaña & Van Dyke Dominick Marsala Memorial Scholarship
$10,000 Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
$2000 Level Up Scholarship
$3500 PAVE Essay Contest
$1000 Nuclear Family Scholarship
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship
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Sign up for our FREE newsletter, Your Daily Scholarship: https://nodebtcollege.substack.com/

A FREE Student Portfolio Platform + 6 Scholarship Opportunities + A Last-Minute Scholarship Help for the Class of 2025

Cirkled In is a free online student portfolio platform, much like a ‘LinkedIn’ for students. As a mom helping her children in the college admissions process, Reetu Gupta saw the critical need for a platform like this. So, she helped found Cirkled In, and today serves as the company’s CEO. In our conversation, Reetu and I discussed:
The importance of a student portfolio, especially in an age of ‘test-optional’ college admissions
How colleges, internships, and employers are using Cirkled In for admissions and recruiting
Finding scholarships on Cirkled In and their vetting process
Cirkled In’s quarterly $2500 no-essay scholarship
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Based on insights from over 250 episodes of The College Admissions Process Podcast, John Durante shares expert advice straight from the people who know the process best, college admissions professionals, in his book, Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications.
John has kindly offered to give away five copies of his book, Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications.
To enter the drawing, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/Durante
You will then be able to download your FREE copy of The College Planning Timeline for High School Students, presented by Scholarship GPS and Chariot Learning.
When you download the FREE College Planning Timeline, you will also be entered to win a FREE copy of John Durante's book, "Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications."
Offer Ends February 14, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. Five winners will be chosen at random.
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There IS still time for your Class of 2025 Grad to earn scholarships, but you don't want to delay any longer!That is why Scholarship GPS has opened The Class of 2025 Spring Scholarship Scramble. This exciting new program provides your high school senior with:
A custom list of scholarships for which your Class of 2025 grad is eligible. Your students' custom list will include a minimum of 20 scholarships, including national and local scholarships (if local scholarships are available) and a mix of small and large scholarships.
Personalized help with up to 10 scholarship applications & essays each month. These can be any scholarships of your choice, not just scholarships from your custom list.
Access to the Scholarship GPS Course, where students can learn best practices for scholarship success. Lessons in the course include: How/Where to find scholarships, application and essay best practices, sample scholarship-winning essays, and much more.
The program begins when you sign up and ends on June 5, 2025. You can join the Class of 2025 Spring Scholarship Scramble for just $97 per month. To get started, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/2025scramble or click the link in the show notes of this episode.This program will fill up fast, and when it does, it won’t be offered again. We are in the home stretch for the Class of 2025 to earn scholarships for the start of college, so don’t delay. 
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This week's featured scholarships:
$5000 Flavorful Futures - Go Green Scholarship
Alltricity Scholarship Foundation Scholarships
Goya Foods Culinary Arts Scholarship
Joe Gilroy "Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan" Scholarship
$1000 Debt.com Scholarship For Aggressive Scholarship Applicants
Weekender: $1000 No Essay Scholarship from Appily
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Insider Strategies for College Applications + 5 New Scholarship Opportunities

Dr. John Durante has dedicated over 30 years to education as a teacher and administrator. Since 2010, he has served as the principal of Syosset High School, playing a key role in its recognition as one of the top high schools in the country. Under his leadership, the school has earned numerous accolades for its academic achievements, and its alumni continue to reflect its commitment to excellence.
His passion for guiding students through the college admissions process, especially after helping his daughters navigate their own journeys, inspired him to launch The College Admissions Process Podcast in 2022. The podcast has since become a valuable resource for students, parents, and college counselors.
Based on insights from over 250 episodes of The College Admissions Process Podcast, John Durante shares expert advice straight from the people who know the process best, college admissions professionals, in his book, Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications.
In our conversation, John and I discussed:
How his insights as a principal and his role as a father inspired him to help families gain inside knowledge for the college admissions process
What students and parents need to do as they prepare for the college admissions process
Understanding the importance of institutional priorities in the role of admissions
Guidelines for building a “balanced list” of colleges to apply to
The importance of discussing the financial aspect of college with your student
The power of talking to your college admissions rep
John has kindly offered to give away five copies of his book, Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications.
To enter the drawing, go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/Durante
You will then be able to download your FREE copy of The College Planning Timeline for High School Students, presented by Scholarship GPS and Chariot Learning.
When you download the FREE College Planning Timeline, you will also be entered to win a FREE copy of John Durante's book, "Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications."
Offer Ends February 14, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. Five winners will be chosen at random.
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This week's featured scholarships:
The Christopher's $1000 High School Poster Contest
The Christopher's $2000 College Video Contest
$40,000 KPMG Future Leaders Program
Simon Youth Foundation Scholarships
Weekender: $5000 Christian College Scholarship
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A $100,000 Scholarship + A Scholarship for All High School and Middle School Students + College List-Building Help

Are you uncertain which colleges your teen should consider, visit, and eventually apply to?
Has your family had some friction over what the right colleges are?
⏰ For 11th and 10th-grade families, the pressure is mounting, and the countdown has begun—bringing stress to your teen and you! But take a deep breath because help is on the way.
With 26 years of experience guiding families like yours, Lisa Marker-Robbins created a College List Tutorial with LIVE Support to help your family gain clarity and alignment before building your teen’s college list.
She’s got resources for your family to focus on defining what matters most in these four areas:
✨ Academic Fit: Where can your teen get admitted and thrive academically?✨ Social Fit: What will help them feel they have found their home away from home?✨ Financial Fit: What’s your college budget, and how can you align it with realistic options?✨ College Major Fit: What programs will fuel your teen’s future aspirations?
When your family aligns on these priorities, building a college list becomes much clearer and stress-free.
And you don’t have to figure this out alone! You have the option to join Lisa LIVE every Tuesday, January 14 - February 4, for Zoom Q&A sessions, where she will answer your questions and guide you through the process.
💻 Click here to enroll and start gaining clarity and confidence today!
It is possible to create a plan that fits your teen and your family.
Here’s what one parent shared:​“The guidance was wonderful. Our family has now started to keep weekly college meetings. My son has become engaged and thinking about what is next and fits for him. He feels better, and we appreciate the helpful tips.” – Anne Chekal
Let Lisa guide you to a place where you feel confident and aligned as a family—so building a college list is no longer overwhelming. Don’t miss out on the chance to get LIVE support with your questions! Enroll now and start January with clarity and confidence.
👉 College List Building Tutorial Enrollment Page
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This week's featured scholarships:
$100,000 McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship
$5000 Carl C. Yount Charitable Scholarship
Rising to the Challenge Scholarship
$1000 Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship
Stossel in the Classroom Essay & Video Contests
Weekender: $1000 ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship
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I have worked with multiple students who have earned prizes in the Stossel in the Classroom contest, including one of the national first place winners. If you would like my assistance reviewing and editing your student’s essay, consider my Scholarship Application & Essay Help program. I will review and provide feedback and suggestions for one scholarship application, including an essay of up to 2500 words. Up to five iterations of review and feedback for the SAME application/essay are included. Go to www.ScholarshipGPS.com/essay to sign up today.
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